On Sociology

One of the world's leading sociologists presents for the first time his comprehensive view of the aims and tools of modern sociology. The book will provoke debate about cogent and controversial theories of the way we understand modern industrial society. On Sociology brings together a collection of essays all written in the last ten years by one of the best-known and influential British sociologist, John H. Goldthorpe. The essays are concerned with the intellectual discovery of contemporary sociology. The collection begins with essays critical of various current tendencies in sociology and moved on to essays that outline a programme for a new sociological mainstream. The essays combine the established strengths of quantitative sociology with recent developments in the theory of social action, especially rational action theory. It then turns to essays illustrative of this style of sociology. The book deals with substantive topics in the field of social stratification. The final essay takes up some of the relevant issues in the history of sociology.